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Safety and SCAM Alerts
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Safety and SCAM Alerts |
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This page is dedicated to help RAM members be aware of safety issues and fraudulent schemes. To report potential safety issues and /or scams, contact the RAM Staff at Info@RAMaui.com. RAM encourages you to protect yourself and your clients by watching NAR Safety Tips for REALTORS®.
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Scary Guy at
Open House:
December 2011
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RAM Staff received reports that a man with a frightening demeanor attending open houses in the Pukalani/Kula area. Below is a description of the man and his behavior.
This man was tall, maybe 6 foot. He was dressed in a swimming suit, and some type of tunic. He had a penetrating stare, would follow the agent around staying just an inch or two from them, and asked if they were ready to go to heaven with him that day. He said his given name was Vincent, but one the day of the incident, he was Jesus.
We recommend using extreme caution if a man matching the above description attends your open house. As with any emergency situation, we recommend that you take steps to protect yourself & call 911.
If he does show up, please take the time to file a police report by calling 244-6400. |
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Rental Scams on
Craig's List:
Ongoing problems...
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The house you have listed for sale may be "for rent" on CraigsList without your knowledge!
NEW NOTE: Scammers are also targeting VACATION RENTALS by posting properties on VRBO that are listed on the MLS. Scammers post the vacation rental with an enticing rental rate and provide instructions on where people should forward their money. Upon checking with the listing agent, you will learn that the home is NOT for rent – vacation or otherwise!
Scam incidents are still occurring on CraigsList regarding properties listed for sale in RAM's MLS appearing on CraigsList "for rent." The person posting the rental information is frequently from out-of-country and either asks to be contacted, asks that money be forwarded to them, or posts the address of the home & interested tenants start knocking on your seller's door.
This scam is occurring nation-wide, not just on Maui.
The perpetrator is stealing RAM's MLS information, and distorting and misrepresenting it to the unsuspecting public. The rental, of course, turns out to be a total scam with no knowledge of the "rental" by either the property owner or selling agent. If you receive rental inquires on a home that you have listed - and you know the home is not for rent - BEWARE!
Report any such activity to the Internet Crime Complaint Center at: www.ic3.gov
You should advise CraigsList and flag the message for deletion. Unfortunately, CraigsList emails notification to the person who originated the message and they may very well re-post the message. Keep flagging it for deletion by CraigsList.
Also, you may want to consider making your own entry on the same property at an even lower rental amount (so it appears at the head of the list) & enter wording similar to: "NOT FOR RENT (or NOT A VACATION RENTAL) - THIS IS A SCAM. The property located at this address is FOR SALE. See MLS# _____." |
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